Quotes by Alexander Rahr

“The energy alliance Germany is forging with Russia has the same philosophy behind it. To find a way to bind this huge Russian neighbor into a common European space, develop interdependent structures and ties, create some kind of trust, and then also benefit from easy access to the Russian gas fields which are at Europes front door.”

“It is now a very complex relationship.”

“There is mounting anger in Western business circles over the lack of radical liberal reforms and the failure to establish a functioning legal system.”

“Right now, we have a gas war in Eastern Europe. A politician like him would have to be in the middle of all these quarrels.”

“There will not be the focus on Russia which under Schroeder played a big role in German foreign policy.”

“The new member states have a completely different view of Russia, understandably. But they, too, have to sooner or later start defining what kind of relationship they want with Russia. This is something Germany has been trying to do since 1945.”

“The signs are that Russia has no interest in seeing Iran with a nuclear bomb.”

“Germanys alliance with Russia was not just conceived as a commercial deal, but as a way to integrate Russia into Europe. This could be in jeopardy, if the gas dispute continues.”

“She might tell them when she goes there about the mess one can make by using energy as a political tool. But she will do nothing to question the energy alliance between Germany and Russia.”

“Merkel has a certain coolness towards Russia, after all she grew up in what she would view as an occupied East Germany. But German business interests make good relations essential and she cant ignore that reality.”